Texas commission says oxygen OK, no actions taken against referees

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation believes no harm or foul got in the way of this past Saturday’s “Strikeforce: Houston.”

Susan Stanford, the TDLR’s Public Information Officer, today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal and K.J. Noons were within their rights to use bottled oxygen prior to competition.

Additionally, the TDLR found no lapses in officiating with Noon’s second-round TKO of Jorge Gurgel or Chad Griggs’ second-round TKO of Bobby Lashley.

The regulatory body, which oversees the state’s Combative Sports Program, went under the microscope when several reports questioned officials’ handling of the event, which took place at the 18,000-seat Toyota Center in Houston and aired live on Showtime.

Cameras spotted Lawal and Noons taking hits off of what was later determined to be portable oxygen cans prior to their fights against Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Gurgel, respectively.

And while many have suggested Lawal and Noons could have gained an unfair advantage with the breathing aid, Stanford said oxygen is not prohibited by the commission (Combative Sports Program statutes do not specifically address the use of oxygen; Stanford said banned substances include Monsel’s solution, silver nitrate, ammonium capsules and smelling salts).

“It’s my understanding that the physician did consult with the ringside physician, and it was approved by the physician,” Stanford said. “It was within (the rules).”

Lawal lost his Strikeforce light heavyweight title when Cavalcante stopped him by third-round TKO.

Noons’ strike unpreventable, lull in action prompted Lashley stand-up

Noons’ emphatic win over Gurgel did not escape controversy, either.

The former pro boxer appeared to be on cruise control to victory after he dropped Gurgel at the end of the first round and followed with a two-punch combination that put Gurgel on his back early in the second round. The referee closed distance as if to stop the bout, but Gurgel pitched forward and dove towards Noons’ feet for a takedown.

Noons began to defend the takedown and looked incredulously at the referee, who got between the fighters just as he threw what looked to be an illegal knee to the downed Gurgel.

Strikeforce commentator Mauro Ranallo was the first to cry foul during the telecast.

But the commission hinted that the timing of the strike invalidated questions of whether it was legal or not.

“[TDLR] representative Greg Alvarez said the strike was already started when the (final) bell rang,” Stanford said. “That’s the position of TDLR. No action will be taken against the referee.”

Many fans were also upset when referee Jon Schorle stood former “pro wrestler” Bobby Lashley up during his fight with Chad Griggs.

Lashley, a former collegiate wrestling standout, took Griggs to the mat in the second round after a taxing first frame in which he sustained a cut under his left eye. He had mounted his foe and appeared to be working ground-and-pound before Shorley stood the fighters up.

Lashley’s cut was checked by the cageside doctor, and he was allowed to stay in the fight. But he expired quickly afterward when he and Griggs were restarted on their feet, and the doctor stopped the fight between the second and third rounds.

While Lashley was cut near the end of the first round, Stanford contends that Shorley saw the cut when he stood the fighters up due to what he felt was a lack of action.

“The referee felt there was a lull in action, and he had gotten them to their feet when he saw the cut,” Stanford said. “[The referee] had the doctor look at it, and then started the action again on their feet.”

The Combative Sports Program’s statutes state that a referee is allowed to restart fighters on their feet after a lull in action.

Stanford said parties who disagree with the referee’s conduct can file a complaint with the TDLR.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.